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FIBA
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Qatar picked to host 2027 FIBA men’s basketball World Cup, having last played event in 2006

  • Doha will stage every game of the 32-team event in pre-existing venues, FIBA says
  • No 89-ranked Qatar team will qualify automatically as hosts, having last played in the event at 2006 world championships, losing all five games

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Qatar’s Hashim Zaidan (left) and Australia’s Sam Mackinnon in action during the first round Group C match at the World Basketball Championships in Hamamatsu, central Japan, in August 2006. Photo: AP
Associated Press

Qatar is going to host another World Cup, adding basketball to the sports portfolio of a tiny country with long-term Olympic hosting ambitions.

The International Basketball Federation picked Qatar to host the 2027 edition of its marquee men’s World Cup on Friday. There was no vote between competing bids.

Doha will stage every game of the 32-team event in pre-existing venues, FIBA said, also citing upgraded subway and public transport networks that were completed for last year’s men’s football World Cup.

Qatar faced fierce criticism during a massive, 12-year construction project for the football World Cup because of the gas-rich nation’s treatment of its migrant labour force. FIBA made no reference to labour or human rights issues in announcing its decision, which came on the eve of the 2023 tournament draw.

Asked how it considered rights issues, FIBA said in a statement that with no construction needed in Qatar “time and cost savings from not building any new venues will be focused into delivering the strongest possible social legacy”.

Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulla and Lithuania’s Paulius Jankunas in action at the world basketball championships in Hamamatsu, central Japan, in 2006. Photo: AP
Qatar’s Mohammed Abdulla and Lithuania’s Paulius Jankunas in action at the world basketball championships in Hamamatsu, central Japan, in 2006. Photo: AP

“With all of the teams playing in the same city, fans can plan everything far in advance and enjoy a unique experience since all venues are within 30 minutes of each other,” the Switzerland-based governing body said.

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